It’s not a real Metal Gear Solid game if it’s not rumoured to be Hideo Kojima’s last. But there was something about the rumours that surrounded The Phantom Pain this year; the whispers that this irreplaceable auteur was to part permanently with his publisher and the studio that bears his name.

The hearsay had the scent of confirmation about it when, yesterday, The New Yorker published an article which suggested that Kojima’s last day in the office had in fact been and gone two Fridays ago, just months before his 30th anniversary at Konami. An unnamed source described a farewell party at Kojima Productions, attended by a hundred or more guests.

A Konami spokesperson has told Tokyo Sports, however, that the legendary developer is still listed as an employee and is simply “on vacation”.

“Currently, Kojima and the development team are finished developing Metal Gear Solid V and are taking a long time off from work,” said the spokesperson, as translated by Kotaku.

“Because the development time for console games is so long and fatigue builds up, it’s common for employees to take extended periods of time off when development is finished.”

Earlier rumours had it that Kojima’s contract would conclude in December. If The Phantom Pain did turn out to be his final Metal Gear, do you think it would make a fitting swansong?

It's probably true, honestly. He's not out till December. So he is 'on vacation'. He's 'on vacation' until his contract is up in December. They had his farewell party now because this is effectively the last time he'll see them.

Yes. This is because if you take Time Off in Japan, you cease to exist. The shame is too great. Therefore during your vacation, everyone pretends you don't exist. Because you don't exist, your laziness does not shame your family, and you do not need to commit 23 crosses of Sudoku before being decapitated.